Sant Joan de Labritja and Portinatx

Sant Joan de Labritja is a quiet farming village in the green north of Ibiza, in Spain's Balearic Islands, about 23 km north-east of Ibiza Town, with the bays of Portinatx about 28 km away. The drive takes about 35 minutes, while the bus takes about an hour. The Alsa T6 runs from the CETIS bus station in Ibiza Town via Sant Llorenç to Sant Joan and on toward Portinatx; the longest stage costs about EUR 2.60 by card or QR on board and EUR 3.60 in cash, and summer frequency should be checked at alsaibiza.es. The Alsa T4 from Santa Eulària also serves Sant Joan and Portinatx. The village centres on a white church on the main square, Plaça de l'Església, and has a rural character with few crowds. A suggested day begins with a morning bus or drive to Sant Joan for a coffee on the square and a short walk around the church. From there visitors continue to Portinatx, where the small bays of Cala d'en Serra and Es Portitxol offer calm water for swimming and snorkelling. Cala Xarraca, a sheltered cove along the same coast, is a further option for those with a car or time to spare. The middle of the day is best spent on the water or on the sand, with lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants in Portinatx. In the late afternoon the bus back to Ibiza Town should be confirmed in advance, since services thin out later in the day. The walking involved is modest, but the combination of bus connections and several stops makes the day a little more demanding than a single-town visit. The best season is April to June and September to October, when the north is green and the coves are less crowded than in midsummer. Information about the municipality is published at santjoandelabritja.com.